When you sat up on the couch to chew your toy,
David rushed to stand behind you
to make sure you wouldn’t fall.
You are so lucky to have this protective brother.
I hope you are always there for each other.
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We’re finally home! We spent the last four days in beautiful San Diego. Back when we lived there, we used to love the Crystal Pier Hotel and always wondered how it would be to stay there. So when I was able to randomly get a reservation I jumped at the opportunity. And we got cabin #14. And it was lovely. We had this beautiful deck and got to watch sun set over Pacific Beach every night. Quite magical. After the really long drive, we finally made it home and I am really happy to be here. So were the kids.
Nathaniel was tired but it was too close to bedtime so I tried to keep him up and he wondered around and rediscovered his toys.
David played Wii since it was his day and he was already bummed to have missed some of it.
I just lay on the couch and tried to recover from the car trip. I am feeling exceptionally exhausted. Tomorrow starts the events for David’s school. We have a social and a ribbon cutting in the next two days. And then Tuesday starts school. Wow. Well I am off to get my life a bit back in order. Put my clothes away. Find my neighbor to get my mail (there’s some happy mail in there so I’ve been waiting all day for her to come back home!) and to read my book. More tomorrow. Three Things I’m Grateful For: Three Things David’s Grateful For: We did this one a long time ago and I just never had the chance to share: 12. Walk across the golden gate bridge This turned out to be a wonderful adventure. We drove up past the bridge and parked right at the end of it. Jake snapped a few photos of me with the kids. It was fantastic weather.
We had packed snacks for the kids and for us so as we walked by and snacked, I snapped photos.
I had, stupidly, forgotten to take my wide-angle so all the photos are with my 50mm.
It was really really really loud. Really loud.
And it took us a while to walk the entire bridge over and once we were on the other side the three of us were wiped and I dreaded that we had to walk back and get the car.
So while we waited, my super-hero husband ran back all the way, grabbed the car and came to get us.
Isn’t he awesome? All in all, highly recommended. Absolute joy to do. And a memorable day.
We started this morning nice and early at 5:30am. Kids were awake so it meant we were, too. We sat around for a while, desperately trying to wake up and then got the kids ready to go out.
This is the face David made when I told him to smile like he was about to get a ton of legos.
Then we walked down to Mission Beach and ate at a beachside cafe for breakfast. It was a little chilly but overall amazing. Nathaniel was already yawning 100 times so we came back to the hotel for his nap and we all ended up dozing a bunch (except David of course.) Once he woke up, we drove to Scripps to get to the Birch Aquarium. I used to take David here when he was little and it was neat to go back. David loved every moment of it and ran from exhibit to exhibit. Here he is, on a special exhibit where you go into this room and then it records you reading the “news” and you can watch yourself on TV as a newscaster.
Nathaniel loved it too, especially the room with the huge fish tank.
After that, we went to our old neighborhood and had lunch at Wired cafe where we used to go regularly. It was neat being back there, too. Then it was time to come home so we could play on the beach which turned out to be a disaster. Both the kids got scared of the water, David took off. Anyhow, that ended badly. So we came back and walked down the pier and saw a bunch of dolphins which made the day amazing again. A little frozen yogurt, some healthy snacks for the kids and our day was over. I am tried and ready to stop living out of luggage. But I do love San Diego. Three Things I’m Grateful For: Three Things David’s Grateful For:
Journaling Reads: The reason I love this place so much is because it has a truly one-of-a-kind collection of art that is displayed in a beautiful house. What makes this place even more phenomenal is the stunning outdoor area. It’s so very green and peaceful. When we lived in New York, this was one of my favorite places to go where I could slowly walk around and study each beautiful piece of art and then take my book and sit in the garden. Now that I have two very young kids and work full time and live considerably far away from amazing museums, I appreciate my days at the Frick even more. I am so thankful that there are people like him who appreciated art so much and chose to spend some of his fortune towards building a collection and then created a place for all of us to come and appreciate it whenever we wanted.
Today started with an early morning breakfast with friends of Jake. Both of the kids grew impatient after a while but they were great considering we were there for almost two hours.
We then came back home and went up to my favorite place in San Diego (or possibly one of my favorite places in the world.) Torrey Pines State Reserve. Nathaniel briefly fell asleep in the car which is why he looks so sleepy in this photo.
And here’s David “posing” for the photo. David did not want to go near the water but then he walked in too far and was caught by a wave that came in. His shoes and pants got soaked and he was really really upset.
We then rushed back to the hotel cause Jake had to meet with someone and Nathaniel needed to nap. While the little boy struggled and then slept, I snapped this photo from our balcony. We’re literally on the pier in Pacific Beach and look over to La Jolla. It’s stunning here.
I did some work on the computer, relaxed and read while David watched a bit of Thomas and played with his legos. To me, this is a lot of what vacation is about. Relaxing and doing what makes you happiest.
Nathaniel woke up and we had an appointment at the apple store for me to get a new power cable, cause mine died. And just as we were leaving the hotel I saw that the diamond had fallen off my engagement ring. The ring was still on my finger, but not the diamond. I really freaked out and was so sad but decided to leave anyway and look for it when we got back. We went up the the store, got a new power cable and then had some lunch. On the way back we made a brief stop at Anthropologie (yey!) and Michael’s and Paper Tales (local scrap store) and I bought a bunch of punches. Because I can never ever have enough as it turns out. By the time we came back, we were all tired and I was again sad about my diamond. We got the kids ready for bed and Jake was supposed to leave again so I asked him if we could look for the stone for fifteen minutes. As I said it, I was making David’s bed and picked up the folded sheets. I heard a small sound and amazingly we found the diamond! it was right there. We couldn’t believe our luck. Now that I was super-happy again, the sun was setting, so we went out to the balcony and I tried to take some photos. As you can see, not everyone was cooperating.
Nathaniel absolutely loved being outside and especially walking up to our neighbor’s door.
And up and down the pier.
We kept trying to get him back in to the room.
But as soon as we closed the door he’d cry and try to claw his way back out.
This little boy loves being outdoors. So, all in all, a full and wonderful day and I am happy to be here. To breathe some of the delicious, fresh beach air. I am really really glad we found my diamond. And thankful for getting to spend so much time together. Three Things I’m Grateful For: Three Things David’s Grateful For:
I would have never ever read Lonesome Dove if it weren’t for my book club. And honestly, I read some and listened to some of this super-long book. I honestly didn’t think I was going to like it. Cowboys are not my thing after all. But I loved it. I really did. I love the characters, the plot, the way the story weaves around. I wasn’t crazy about the ending but the most important part of a novel, for me, is the characters and these are some fantastic characters. Really leave an impression. I was also amazed to find that it has some of the most favorable reviews on amazon I’ve ever seen. Many many people consider it their very favorite novel. how about that? this is why i wanted to join book clubs.
Long long long day. We spent most of today in the car. And it also was one of the rare rare occasions in which David threw up. All over the car. All over everything. It was not pretty. Anyway, it was a long day. But we got here and Nathaniel was super-happy.
When we sat at our favorite cafe I asked Jake to snap some photos of David and me. And now you can see why I take so many photos of Nathaniel and not as many of David.
And then I just gave up and tickled him silly.
The kids are finally asleep and I must say I am wiped, too. All my muscles feel like they are aching. I look forward to tomorrow. To relaxing. To being together. To being here. Three Things I’m Grateful For: Three Things David’s Grateful For:
Catalyst One Hundred and Eighteen is: what are you waiting for? Journaling Reads: 6:30am: David comes down sometime between 5:30 and 6am and by 6:30, I am fully awake and lately I’ve begun regularly working on some sort of creative project so I get the kids set up with breakfast and sit at my table. Nathaniel eats some bread, cereal, or graham crackers with cheese and a banana. David eats oatmeal and sometimes a fruit, too. I might be scrapping, sewing, crocheting, or painting. I work at this feverishly for about an hour or hour and a half, taking a break to get Nathaniel down from his high chair so he can walk around and play with duplos or David’s toys. 8am: When David had school, this is when he’d start getting ready but school’s over now and Kindergarten hasn’t started yet so they just keep playing until I’m done with my project or until Nathaniel is whining cause he’s really tired. I then put Nathaniel down and clean up around the kitchen a bit while I make my coffee. When it’s ready, it’s officially quiet time. David plays legos quietly while I drink my Cafe Francais and eat my graham crackers. I might check more mail, read blogs, message boards, or read my book. 9am: I officially start work. I check my mail, start triaging issues and go back and forth between tasks until Nathaniel wakes up. Once he’s awake, we hug a little and make sure he’s calm and then he plays alone or with David while I work some more. 12pm: Time for lunch. Nathaniel eats veggies mixed with yogurt, and cereal. David has his green beans and maybe meatballs. I might or might not eat lunch. Generally I at least grab a banana. After lunch we play together for a bit and then I clean up and get back to work. The kids play together, laugh, and make a lot of noise. I might or might not put Nathaniel down for a second nap depending on what time he woke up from his morning nap. 4pm: Time to start dinner for the kids. David eats a cinnamon raisin bagel and yogurt. Nathaniel has more veggies, fruit, oatmeal or bread and some cheese or yogurt. For now, he’s more interested in trying new foods than David is. Tonight we tried beets and he liked them. After dinner it’s bathtime, books, getting dressed, and nursing. David is there, too, and makes noises and entertains Nathaniel and they peek behind the curtain together. 6pm: The kids are in bed. Nathaniel is likely sleeping and David’s playing with legos in his room. He tells me his two things he’s grateful for and then I give him a hug and a kiss. He goes to sleep somewhere between 6:30 and 8pm. 6:30pm: I put another cup of coffee, grab some snack on the go and it’s time to process my photos from the day. I then post my Daily Diary entry and write about my day on my blog. I write 3 things I’m grateful for and 2 things David’s grateful for. Then it’s time for the second art project of the day. Right now I am making all the catalysts that are scheduled to come up for the rest of the year. 8pm: Once the art is done, I generally surf a bit, read a bit and then it’s time to go to bed. I go upstairs and kiss David and fix his covers. I turn of Nathaniel’s video monitor and go to bed. Jake might or might not join me depending on when he’s getting up the next day. I struggle to fall asleep and then I wake up and do the whole thing over again. Gratefully and lovingly.
Today started off late. Nathaniel decided not to sleep last night and I couldn’t fall asleep either. So it started our day on a hard path. But we still made it through our list of daily tasks, like exercising, reading, etc. So I’d have to say the day turned out much better than it could have. Here’s Nathaniel making another one of those piles I mentioned yesterday.
We received some boxes in the mail today and David decided it would be fun to get in them. He tried to get Nathaniel to follow suit.
But Nathaniel wasn’t as enthused.
Instead, he reached for David’s legos.
And David was pretty nice about it.
Then David leaned over to the chair to take a “nap” and Nathaniel thought it was so funny that he went on the other side and lay down too. I love how much he imitates his brother. His brother loves it too.
And he loves going through his brother’s toys. They are way more fun than his.
Here, I was trying to get him to look at me so I kept calling his name. He wasn’t easily fooled, though. He just smiled and kept going.
Perseverance pays off though and I did get my shot.
A lot to do tonight still. Emails to send. Some packing. Some fixing. Oh well… it will all get done. Three Things I’m Grateful For: Three Things David’s Grateful For: I’ve been in a really grouchy mood for the last few days. I had no reason for it. My life is quite wonderful and I have a lot to be thankful for, and yet, I was cranky and yelling at everyone around me. Especially the people I love and people who’re patient with me. Mentally, I knew that this was ridiculous and that I should snap out of it, but I just couldn’t get myself to do it. I tried many different things: I went out to meet friends and be social, I read books, I exercised, I spent time with my kids, I spent time outdoors, I went to bed earlier, I ate more fruits, I watched TV and did nothing. But none of them worked. My mood refused to go away. Some of the activities made it disappear temporarily but then it would come back full force. And then, this afternoon, some kind people said nice things about my art. Enough to get me to sit at my table and scrap again. I didn’t worry too much about what I was creating. I picked my photo and chose my story. And I just sat to scrap. With no one to impress and no stringent requirements. I just scrapped. I thought only of making myself happy. And it worked like a charm. By the time I was done, my bad mood had completely disappeared. My bad mood was stopping me from making art but all I needed, all along, was to actually sit and do it. It’s like a vicious cycle. You need to break it so it can stop. So this is just in case any of you are in it. Where I was. I want to scrap but I haven’t in so long. I wish I could make the time to paint. I wish I could journal in my art journal. Or maybe it’s not art but music. Or sewing. Whatever it is that you’ve been putting off, the thing that you know makes you happy but you’re too unhappy to do it, I am here to give you the nudge you need to go do it. Give yourself permission to do it badly. But just sit and do it. Break that cycle. You’ll be so glad you did. The following is cross-posted from the Weekly Gratitude Blog. I will post there every Tuesday and decided to post those posts here, too. For those of you who read both blogs, I apologize in advance. Some weeks the content might be different and other weeks, exactly the same.
Well if it were two hours ago, I’d write all about how grouchy I’ve been and how frustrated I was all day but I did some scrapbooking and I am in such a great mood now so I won’t write about any of that. yey. I’ll start with this super-blurry photo. Nathaniel keeps his hat on for less than a second so getting a nonblurry shot has been impossible but i love the expression on this one so I kept it anyway.
and here it comes off.
and it’s off! that was that.
See the arm? I put the sock on for naps and bedtime. I worry if he wakes up in the middle of the night and undoes it, he will suck on the thumb with a lot of ointment on it.
And here it is without the sock. At least this way he can use the other four fingers to grab things.
I’ve been a grouchy grouchy mom. Yelling a lot today. I will work on this a lot. And thankfully my boys are just the happiest bunch. Something I cannot take for granted.
see that smile?
Nathaniel loves making little “corners” for himself. He will take over a chair or a table and arrange his things just the way he likes them. I love watching him work. He’s so adorable.
Today was my day at the Big Picture Scrapbooking Big Idea Festival and it was so much fun to chat with everyone. If you haven’t checked it out, make sure to head over there. And I did a layout. And I did so much work. And I worked out. And David and I read. Now I am off to write my gratitude post before I head to bed. More scrapping plans tomorrow. And some happy mail coming this week. Yey! Three Things I’m Grateful For: Two Things David’s Grateful For: |
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